PAC money surges in heated race for IPS school board seats
The race for four seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools board could significantly reshape the board’s makeup, with more candidates who are critical of charter schools.
Charter Schools
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Thrival Indy Academy Innovation school to close amid low enrollment
Thrival began as a one-year program within Indianapolis Public Schools in 2017, but expanded to a four-year high school in 2020.
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IPS seeks relief from law requiring $1 building sales to charter schools
The court filing by IPS is the latest move in a long-running dispute between the district and the charter sector over facilities and resources, as charter enrollment grows and IPS enacts academic and other changes to attract students.
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Senate unveils budget with no expansion for school voucher program
The most glaring contrast between the Senate and House proposals is the way in which they intend to expand funding to charter schools.
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Stalled tax plan to revive IPS pushes charters, district further apart
The district’s unique portfolio of charters and traditional public schools, created nearly a decade ago by IPS leaders and state lawmakers, has left both populations fighting for funding.
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Articles
Former Mayor Bart Peterson to resign as CEO of Christel House International
Peterson, 66, will be succeeded by David Harris, who worked in the Peterson administration and currently is the executive vice president of Christel House International.
Charter school supporters call on state to bolster Indianapolis transportation options
In some cases, charters are an option only for those families who can afford to drive or live close enough to walk to school.
IU Indianapolis expands automatic admissions pilot to IPS charter high schools
The announcement on Thursday builds off of the groundbreaking program IU Indianapolis and IPS announced in September that grants automatic admission to seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
Indy STEAM Academy in danger of closing after authorizer revokes charter
The charter authorizer also approved the expansion of GEO Next Generation Academy, which is on the same property as Indy STEAM.
Messy breakup at Indianapolis charter school tees up fight over students, teachers
The split between Andrew J. Brown Academy and National Heritage Academies involves facilities, finances, and more. One is looking for a new home and has a new operator. The other wants to start a new school.
Charter schools could get property tax money if Pike Township referendum passes
The change is the result of years of lobbying by charter school supporters, who say that all public school students should benefit from local property taxes that help pay for buildings.
State OKs Indianapolis school’s switch from charter to private, making it eligible for vouchers
The approval is another lifeline for the charter school, which was initially named Ignite Achievement Academy and tasked by Indianapolis Public Schools to improve an underperforming school near the city’s Riverside neighborhood.
Indianapolis charter school seeks to go private so it can accept vouchers
The move by the Genius School comes after the charter authorizer overseeing it put it on probation and another authorizer rejected its bid for a new charter.
All-girls charter school approved by City-County Council
Girls IN STEM Academy is planned as a K-8 charter school with a curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The school is founded in partnership between Paramount Schools of Excellence, Purdue Polytechnic High Schools and the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
City-County Council to vote on rezoning for charter school in Washington Township as opposition grows
The school, operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence, is projecting an enrollment of 125 students in grades K-6 in the first year. The projection increased to nearly 300 students in grades K-8 by 2028-29.
Third Purdue Polytechnic school in Indianapolis delays opening
Purdue Polytechnic High School West is now expected to open somewhere on the west side of Indianapolis within Indianapolis Public Schools borders, but the exact location remains unclear.
Plan for all-girls charter school clears major rezoning hurdle in Washington Township
About 100 people showed up to the hearing Thursday at the City-County Building for what’s become a contentious fight between school choice advocates and traditional public school supporters.
Conflict over all-girls charter school in Indianapolis reflects ongoing education tensions
Some Washington Township parents want to block an all-girls charter school from opening at a moment when tensions regarding school choice and access to equitable education are fermenting throughout Marion County.
Bill clarifies exemption to law requiring school districts to give closed buildings to charters for $1
Senate Bill 270 clarifies language added in the last legislative session that led to two different interpretations of the law by Indianapolis Public Schools and the state.
Former virtual charter school leaders face federal charges tied to alleged enrollment scam
The defendants face a combined 76 charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
State legislation calls for restricting charter authorizing powers in Marion County
Under the legislation pitched by Democratic state Sen. Andrea Hunley, a former Indianapolis Public Schools principal, only two authorizers would be allowed to approve charter schools in the county.
Charter authorizer rejects bid from Indianapolis school with rocky academic, attendance history
The Genius School in Indianapolis has lost its bid for a charter from a second authorizer.
Charter authorizer rejects bid from Indianapolis school with rocky history
The Genius School in Indianapolis has lost its bid for a charter from a second authorizer, after the Education One board at Trine University rejected its application Wednesday.
One-third of Indy charter schools have closed since 2001. Is weak oversight a problem?
While Indianapolis has averaged more than one charter closure per year, it’s not necessarily clear that its closure rate of roughly 34% is a major outlier.